Contributed by: DrooteDroote(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on February 25th 2011After the break-up of Operation Ivy, two of that band's members, Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, went on to form other bands, but ended up with the band Rancid with Brett Reed on drums. Later on, Lars Frederiksen would join the band, but this is before that. This is recorded in 1991, but released in.

After the break-up of Operation Ivy, two of that band's members, Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, went on to form other bands, but ended up with the band Rancid with Brett Reed on drums. Later on, Lars Frederiksen would join the band, but this is before that. This is recorded in 1991, but released in 1992. Although this was recorded just two years after Operation Ivy broke up, this EP shows that the new band had a significantly different sound from the older bands. They had clearly moved on.

The sound of this self-titled EP is really similar to Rancid's first LP (which was also self-titled). This is very straightforward punk rock, with no ska tendencies or any other hints or fusions of other genres. Tim and Matt are sharing the vocal duties somewhat equally, both singing in their old snotty and shouting style. I'm really glad Matt sang a lot on this thing, because I find his voice amazing and really suiting to Rancid's songs. That is one of the things lacking in today's Rancid: Matt's singing. And I miss it.

Already from the beginning, Matt's signature bass playing is present. It is fast, diverse, and I think he really has one or two extra fingers. Tim's guitar playing is furious and angry, and with Brett's fast-paced drumming, this EP is one speedy, angry and energetic recording with not one pause from the intesity. The lyrics aren't too bad, either. "Idle Hands" is dealing with Tim's alcoholism, being homeless and hopelessly knocked down. "Media Controller" is about the general anti-mainstream. backstabbing businessmen and sell-out bands–you know, the general punk-themed song. In "Battering Ram", the band stresses how important it is to go your own way and that nothing should stop you doing what you want to. It is also arguably the best song of the EP, a classic Rancid song overall.

This EP was before Rancid sold out to a major label, before they took the punk out of punk rock regarding their own music, and before MTV couldn't get enough of them. If you liked the two first Rancid albums, then you will love this raw, intensity-filled EP. It will make you reminisce of a time when Rancid was a good band.

When the hell were Rancid "All over MTV"? Back in 1995 you'd see Dr. Dre and Tupac's super-mega video every 6 seconds, some grundge and then maybe Singled Out. If Rancid did get played, it was maybe at like 2 am. Why do people constantly blow just how popular Rancid was(n't) out of proportion? As an impressionable Jr. High aged youth in 1995, if Rancid was huge, I WOULD'VE been into 'em and not discovered them through punk rock people a year or 2 later.

The last paragraph of this review made me log in to comment for the first time since December 2008.

Much like Samuel L. Jackson in "Unbreakable" had been scanning the news for years in hopes of finding someone who was invincible, I have been scanning the reviews of this site in hopes of finding "The One." In this case, "The One" is the reviewer who writes an ok review for an awesome band but then negates that whole review by ending it with the stupidest and most immature paragraph of all time. At long last my search has ended!

I am, by no means, a defender of Rancid. But, when was MTV "not able to get anough" of them. I know in the mid 90's they had minor hits with Ruby Soho and Timebomb. But, not really the same as being legit pop stars. Similarly, was Fall Back Down really that big of a hit?

I have not listened to Rancid in a good number of years, but even I think that whole "sell out" thing at the end of this review was stupid.

"This EP was before Rancid sold out to a major label, before they took the punk out of punk rock regarding their own music, and before MTV couldn't get enough of them. If you liked the two first Rancid albums, then you will love this raw, intensity-filled EP. It will make you reminisce of a time when Rancid was a good band."
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W ow. Grow up, moron.

Rancid are such sell outs! How dare they evolve their sound, become popular, and reach out to new fans through the backing of a major label. I miss the good old days, when punk didn't sell out to major labels, like the Sex Pistols and The Clash.